Rinse the pan in cold water. (A tip I learned from A New Way to Cook. It makes clean-up easier.)

Then put the pan on the stovetop, and turn it to medium.

Add oats and toast them lightly for a few minutes.

Pour in milk

Stir until the milk starts to boil. This could take about 20 minutes.

Turn off the heat, put the lid on the pan, and let sit for at least 5 -15 more minutes. Stir once in awhile between signing homework papers and packing lunches.

Turn off the heat. Let it sit a couple of minutes while you tell everyone to get their shoes on.

Then, pour in reserved milk and stir. This keeps a crust from forming on the oatmeal and keeps it creamy, and it’s a secret I learned from Lora Brody’s recipe for dulce de leche, which is very simply, easy-peasy, made in the Slow Cooker.